Hood latch



Nov. 10, 1931. D. P. HYNES ET AL HOOD LATCH 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1930 Nov. 10, 1931.l D. P. HYNl-:s ET A1.

HOOD LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1930 faepf mf fil ' enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig- Patented Nov. 10, 1931` uNlTr-:Dl STATES PATENT OFFICE DIBRELL P. HYNES NORTON A. MEARS, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO CHICAGO FORGING & MANUFACTURING CO., ]?r CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS HOOD' LATCH Application filed December 8, 1930. Serial No. 500,722.

Our invention relates to a securing means or latching device and has for one purpose the provision of a latching device or securing means for the hinged member or closure of an automobile hood. However, it is adapted for other uses or applications. One-object is the provision of securing means of the type herein described which shall be eflicient 1n use, Another object is the provision of'improved hearing means for the handle of such a locking device. Another object is the 'provision of a locking device including latching members within the closure, actuated by an eX- terior handle in response to a locking or unlocking excursion ofy approximately 90 degrees. Other objectswill appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

IVe illustrate our invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Flgure l 1s a side elevatlon; Figure 2 1s a partlal inside elevatlonon an ures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figures l and-2; and

Figure is a section on the line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Like parts are indicated by throughout the specilication and Referring to the drawings A dicates the side frame member of an automobile framel A1 is the hood closure which may be hinged as at A2. -A3 is the radiator and A4 the forward portion of the body of like symbols drawings.. generally inthe car. A5 is'an angle or abutment for theV lower edge of the hinged member A1.

Mounted within the radiator are any suitable keepers or latch abutments which may take the form for example of the bases -B having thereon the brackets B1`which support the keepers proper B2 which may be in the form of inwardly extending rods, the

whole structure being, formed.

Rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure A1 is the rock shaft C. It may if desired, integrally simple to manufacture, and sightly.

Vwardly toward the Aclosure A1 be mounted at its ends in the bearings C1 and adjacent the central portion in the bearings C3 which may form part of the handle supporting plate C2. C4 indicates a crank olfset in the intermediate portion of the rock shaft, herein shown as between the bearings C3. It is shown as generally angular or V- shaped. as indicated in Figure 2. The ends of the shaft Care laterally offset as at C5 to form more or less arcuate or curved latching members C6. In the form herein shown these members C5 lie in planes generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft C.

Mounted for rotation on the plate C2 is the handle shaft generally indicated as D. It may carry thereon or have associated therewith the handle generally indicated as 'I therefrom in general parallelism with the face of the closure A1, and the further terminal offset D1, projecting ingeneral tion D2. c

I, Secured to the inner end of the shaft D 1s a crank arm E. l It may include the hub portion E1, bolted or otherwise secured to the shaft D. We may for example employ a screwthreaded extension E2 and a securing nut E3. Any suitable means may be employed for preventing relative rotation of the crank E and the shaft D in relation to each other. The outer end of the crank E may be apertured as at E3. Extending from the opposite side of the hub E1 is a short crank or lever portion E4 inwardly offset as at E",

parallelism with the axial porand shown inl the portion E5 extending to or closely7 adja- I Connecting the two cranks is the linklG. l

At one endjt is offset as at G1, to enetrate the aperture `E3 of the crank E. G2 1s a'cotter pin or other suitable means for holding the offset G1 in position in said aperture.4 The Y opposite end of the link G is formedin a loop, as at G2, saidloop surrounding thel The loop` apex' of the crank member Ct.

G2 is somewhat inclined to or offset from the body in Figure 2.

In order to provide a suitable bearing for the shaft D wel inwardly offset or upset the plat'e C2, as at H to form a cup. The inner rim of the cup H is provided with an in'- wardly extending flange H1, which terminates in a cylindrical flange or rim H2. Inset in the cup H is a mating or penetrating cup generally indicated as J which includes a cylindricalportion J1 seated Within the cup and an inner peripheral cylindrical flange J2, of a diameter proper to receive the shaft D. We thus provide a compound bearv ing formed of two cylindrical sleeves morel or less spaced apart', the total length of such bearing being preferably equal to or even exceeding the diameter of the shaft D, wher by proper lateral support is afforded the shaft.

The closure A1is apertured as at K, in order to permit the extension therethrough of the cup J or the cylindricalbearing J1. We may provide an ornamental and protecting boss K1 which includes a peripheral portion K2 penetrating between the inner. face of the closure A1 and the opppsed outer face of the plate C2. K8 indicates an inwardly turned portion ofthe boss which conforms closely to the exterior diameter of the handle D1. If desired the boss may be adapted to y take a finish corresponding to the finish of the handle D1.

It will be realized that whereas We have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of our invention. We wish our drawings, therefore, to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting us to the features herein described and shown.

It will be understood, in particular, that a variation in the are of rotation of the haudle may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and where we specify approximately a quarter turn or approximately 9 degrees, we Wish it to be understood that this language is intended to cover a reasonable Variation in either direction from90 degrees.

The use and operation of our invention are as follows:

Assume that in the locking position the exterior handle D1 is in horizontal position Awith the locking members C engaging the interior keepers. Preferably, when in such position the handle may be an open ended loop with the open end projecting rearwardly as at D4. This' carries out the stream lino idea and fits into the general design of the modern car. To unlock the closure the, operator rota-tes the handle by pulling up on it of the link G, as shown for example y and lifting or turning it as far as it will go. It would be grasped from underneath on the left hand side of the car', and from above on the right hand side of the car, since the handle in each case projects toward the rear of the car. In either case an upward pull releases the latch. This upward pull is effective to rotate the handle through an arc of approximately 90 degrees. Any suitable stop means are employed for limiting the rotation at or near 90 degrees. for example the stops E6 E?.

At that point the handle will not rotate further and continual upward movement of the ope ator`s hand will serve to liftthe door of the hood. However. the parts are so proportioned that when the complete 90 degree excursion is made. the locking members are rotated into unlocking position. ll'e obtain this result by employing the interior crank E associated with thc handle and the interior crank C4 associated with the rock shaft, the relative effect-ive. lengths of Ithe two cranks being such that a rotation of the handle crank through approximately 90 degrees effects whatever arc of iotation of the rock shaft is necessary in order to more the locking members from complete locking position to completely fr ce position. Hence the crank E greatly exceeds the crank C* in length.

Note that when in the locking )osition the crank E is thrust over center and the spring of the rock shaft therefore holds it or tends to hold it in locked position. and against the stop El. On the other hand, when the exterior handle D1 is rotated to the opposite. limit of its arc of movement the stop E is contacted. In the particular form herein shown the crank is provided with a short arm E" at the opposite side of its axis of rotation, which short arm has an offset portion E extending outwardly toward the inner face of the hood and engaging the stops E" E to limit the excursion of the crank and the rotation of the handle to the predetermined arc of amiroximately 90 degrees.

lV use a. simple link (l between the two cranks. which may he a generally straight rod having one end looped aroundthe offset integral crank portion C* of the rock shaft. 'lhe other end may be turned at an angle as at (l1, in order to penetrate the aperture E3 in the outer end of the handle crank. loop (l2 at the hott-om of the link is somewhat otlset or inclined. in orde-l` to obtain the proper angle of thrust upwirray and downwardly when the connection between the link and the handle crank is laterally oli'sct as the handle crank is rotated. During its movement.. and until it actuallyreaches and passcs center. the point of connection between the handle crank and the link is of course laterally oll'set from the center of rotation of the crank.` as shown in dotted line in Figure 2.

We lind it-eliicient to provide a more or less V-shaped loop C* as a crank for the rock The Shaft'. The bottom 1001)' G2 ,of the link engages the relatively sharp end of this crank and in practice, the parts being proportioned Yas they are, this keeps the connection between link and rock shaft crank properly located and the link cannot in practice slide down the sides of thecrank. This guiding is also in part effected by the fact that the'top portion Gr1 of the link which is bent to pass through the apertureE3 prevents rotation of the link as a whole and therefore prevents its turning as it must if itwere to slide down or along either side of the rock shaft crank offset.

The offset locking members C5 at the ends of the rock shaft lie in planes generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rock shaft. The portion lying in such plane is more or less curved or arcuate in such fashion as to form a species of hook which is upwardly thrust under the keeper B2 by rotation of the rock shaft. The parts are so proportioned that these hooks engage the keepers before the end of -the locking rotation of the handle, in such fashion that the torsion of the rock shaft and the resilience of the locking members will lock the handle crank in position after it has passed across center. Thus it is yieldingly held against the stop E" which limits its locking rotation. The arcuate form of the terminal locking members is such that they tend, inl response to their yielding thrust, to draw the lower edge of the hood closure both inwardly and downwardly, thus giving the desired tight locking effect. In order to prevent displacementof the axis of rotation of the handle for example because of torsion of tho shaft and locking means we upset the plate C2 through which the handle Shaft passes to form the cup H, which receives the cup J. The two cups support the two bearing surfaces H2, J2, separated by sa a quarter of an inch or more'. The total length for example of the combined bearing surface so formed may be 3/8 inch and inav equal or even preferably exceed the diameter of the shaft D which passes therethrough. The result is greatly to limit the tendency' of the shaft to be displaced. A further assistance is given by the inwardly projecting end E5, which slides on the rear of the plate, and, when the parts are assembled, provides a furthery very substantial reinforcement to prevent displacement of the shaft. In actual practice it may be set up with a slight clearance but a very small distortion will bring it into actual contact with the inner surface of Athe plate to which it is opposed. In efl'ect the exterior bearing J2 provides a bearing to compensate or to prevent displacement by the thrust or weight upon the handle, iust as the innerbearing H2 prevents displacement from the applica-tion of force to the inner handle crank. The composite bearing so formed may lie partly7 within and partly Without the hood Wall. l

We claim:

1. A latching device for automobile hoods or the like, which includes a plurality of latch abutments positioned within the hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, said shaft having an intermediate crank, offsets associated with said rock shaft and adapted to be opposed to said abutments in response to a locking rotation of said rock shaft, a handle mounted upon the exterior 0f the hood for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the face of the hood, and connecting means intermediate the exterior handle and the crank shaft including means proportioned to impart t-o the crank shaft a rotation sufficient to move the offsets from unlocking to locking position, in response. to a rotation of the exterior handle through an arc substantially less than the rotation of the rock shaft. A

2. A latching device for automobile hoods or the like, which includes a plurality of latch abutments positioned withinthe hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, the ends ofsaid rock shaft being offset to form cranks lying in planes generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rock shaft,

said cranks being adapted to be opposed to said abutments in sliding locking relationship, in response to a locking rotation of said y above the axis of rotation of the rock shaft.

A latching device for automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to .engage said abutment, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said hood, an interior crank associated therewith, the handle and the crank being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular tothe face of the hood. and a link connection between said crank and the rock shaft crank, the

effective length of the handle crank substan-` tially exceeding the effective length ofthe rock shaft crank.

4. A latching device for automobile hoodsengage said abutment, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said hood, an interior crank associated therewith,

the handle andthe crank being rotatable about an axis generally Iperpendicular to the face of the hood, connecting means between the handle crank and the rock shaft crank, including means proportioned to rotate said rock shaft from locking to\unlocking position in response to a rotation of said handle of approximately 90 degrees,`and limiting A means adapted positively to limit the rotation of said handle and handle crank, at the opposite ends of its arc of rotation.

5. A latching device for automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, 'latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said hood, an interior crank associated therewith, the handle and the crank being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the face of the hood, connecting means between the handle crank and the rock shaft crank, effective to rotate said rock shaft from locking to unlocking position in response to a rotation of said handle of approximately 90 degrees, limiting means adapted positively to limit the rotation of said handle and handle crank, at the opposite ends of its arc of rotation, including a member outwardly extending from the axis of rotation ofthe crank and stops positioned inwardly of the plane of the inner face of the hood, adapted to be engaged thereby.

6. A latching device for automobile' hoods andthe like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it Y is `in closedposition, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said hood, an interior crank 'associated therewith, the handle and the crank being rotatable about,an axis generally perpendicular to the face of the hood, an a link extending between said crank and the rock shaft, one end of said link being offset to penetrate the handle crank, the handle crank being apertured to receive it, the other end being formed in an eye to surround the rock shaft crank.

7. A latching device for automobile hoods Vand the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hoodand laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, said shaft having a crank portion offset from the intermediate portion of said shaft, an exterior handle mountedv upon said hood, and an interior crank associated therewith,the handle and the crank being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the face of the hood, and a link connecting the handle crank and the rock shaft crank, said link including an eye surrounding the rock shaft crank portion, said eye being bent out of alignment with the body of the link.

8. A latching device for automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned' within the hood and laterally vinwardly spaced from the hood closure when the closure is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, an exterior handle, means operated by said handle, for rotating said rock shaft, including a shaft associated with said handle and penetrating the hood, and a plurality of axially disposed cylindrical bearings in which said shaft rotates and a supporting plate, secured to the hood, one of said cylindrical bearings being upset in said supporting plate.

9. A latching device for automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally inwardly spaced from the hood closure when the closure is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latchlng means, associated with said shaft,

adapted to engage said abutment, an exterior handle, means operated by said handle, for rotating said rock shaft, including a shaft `associated. with said handle and penetrating latching means,.associated with said shaft,

adapted to engage said abutment, an exterior handle, means operated by said handle, for 'rotating said rock shaft, including a shaft associated with said handle andpenetrating the hood, and a plurality of axially disposed y cylindrical bearingsin which said shaft rotates and additional means for preventing misalignment of the axis of said shaft in ,re-

sponse to torsi-onJof the 'rock shaft when` in locking position. l

, 11. A latching device foru automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally in wardly spaced from the hood closure when the closure is in closed position, a rockshaft mounted upon the interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, an exterior handle, means operated by said handle, for rotating said rock shaft, including a shaft associated with said handleand penetrating it is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the 'interior of said hood, latching means, associated with said shaft, adapted t0 engage said abutment, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said hood, an interior crank associated therewith, the handle and they crank being rotatable, about an axis generally perpendicular to the face of the hood, and connecting means between the handle crank and the rock vshaft crank, effective to'rotate said rock` shaft to and from locking position in response to a hood for rotation about an axis vertically offset from the axis of rotation of the rock shaft, and an interior crank associated with v said handle, the handle crank being of substantially lgreater effective length than the rock shaft crank, and connecting means intermediate the'handle crank and the rock shaft crank to rotate the rock shaft from locking to unlocking position in response to a rotation of said handle through substantially a quarter turn, and limiting means effective to limit the rotation of said handle to approximately a quarter turn.

Signed at Chicago, 1n the county of Cook, i

and State of Illinois, this 5th day of December,'1930.

DIBRELL P. HYNES. NORTON A. MEARS.

rotation of said handleof approximately 90 degrees, including an abutment adapted to limit further rotation of the handle crank, the torsion of the rock shaft being adapted to maintain the parts in locked tion to said abutment.

13. A latching device for automobile hoods and the like, which includes a latch abutment positioned within the hood and laterally inposition in relawardly spaced from the hood closure when the closure is in closed position, a rock. shaft mounted upon the interior of said'hood,

latching means, associated with saidA shaft, adapted to engage said abutment, an exterior handle, means operated by said handle, for

rotating said rock shaft, including a shaft i associated withsaid handle and penetrating the hood, and a plurality of axially disposed cylindrical bearingsin' which said shaft rotates and a supporting plate, secured to the hood, one of said cylindrical bearings being upset in said supporting plate, said supporting plate being also provided with bearing means for rotatably receiving the rock shaft. b 14. A latching device for the double hinged closure of an automobile hood, which includes latch abutments positioned within and spaced laterally inwardly from the closure when the closure is in closed position, a rock shaft mounted upon the interior ofthe clo- 4 sure and latching means between said shaft and said abutments, said shaft having a crank, an exterior handle mounted upon said' 

